Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-12
The Tramway Question.
o the Editor OF The EVENING STAR


In reference to the pending bill before the United
States Senate 20 incorporate the Washington Gable
Railroad company, Of the District OF Columbia. I
ain induced By the communication signed Sub
scriber" TO send you what believe TO be the main
and very serious objections to il. There can be
little question as 10 the desirabi,ity Of improved
means or transit within and without The city i'm
It's, and especially on the main lines u Thorough
Iare, or ll4t cable road. properly aid, has adj
vanJageS over our present horse ear system.
Hence the general sentiment or the community
Will, thnA Ok in favor OF any bill Incorporating
cable Railroad company that Is sufficiently Wei
considered and BY which the public interests are
suncienlly guarded The objections To the pres
ent I'LL, however, come chiefly the residents
and property owners along Eth and 18th streets
northwest, and believe they are well taken as set
sent 18th street
some other considerations not heretofore men.
uOieo would venture 10 give. The rights and
wishes OF private citizens n matter W This kind
should certainly BE- Needed. / have yet 10 near OF
single bona nde properJy-owner on 18th street
northwest, between g and I streets Who Is not
ansolute.y opposed To the proposed obstruction
along this street
Any oiil granting so valuable a franchise and so
AHectlns both pubic and private interests as this
one In question should certainly be FsL Well con-
sldered by The District Commissioners " no are
TIE trustees and guardians OF The people and
through "H0rl The tIue sentiment CT the people
vel due consideration vi their interests t.,n
best be secured. The present bill has not had
their consideration, and they are, as believe are
majority OF the citizens OF the District opposed
Tor tracks
Assuming that the cable or electric motors will
eventually replace hCrse power on our trdmways
The routes now occupying the main lines OF thor
oUghIaIe have already asked in another bill be-
fore Congress. authority 10 use such improved mo-
Tors, and IL viii certainly beEenJ the public more
70 get rapid transit on these main thOrOuGhiares
than 10 grant the privileges on new streets where
tranwayS are not needed for pubic convenience
and are unanimously opposed by the properly
owners most concerned.
finally, any company seeking such a valuable
franchise should % required il the bill 70 conform
70 The pubic convenience 0y using groove rails H.
Stead or those now employed la I'll the large
cities of E0rVpe-as LOndOn, Liverpool, Berlin
farSs etc-where trdnUayS have come into gene
IA Use, such rail = used, and the track forms no
oostructloA 70 vehicles, iOr the IraieSt buggy can
DC CIlNen across Ii al any angie without IncOnv
nence S0ch 4 requirement Ii more particularly
oeeueu IL Tie city OF Washington, with Its smooth
aSpnAltun paEeInentS. III the ffieL,ls OIL The bill
(and on The whole, IL has many good features de-
SIRE IL 10 become law why not have IL well con-
saoered oy tne commissioners and then exclude by
mendment 18th and 18th streets northwest
rOm which the chief Objections ccInes
have no inJereS; IN any other railroad and no
other interest than that OF
CITIZEN AND PROPERTY OWNER